The Zamfara State Government has refuted a viral report alleging that a Christian convert, identified as Zainab, is scheduled to appear before a Sharia Court on Friday to face trial for changing her religion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson to the Governor of Zamfara State, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the claim as entirely false, fabricated by unscrupulous online platforms desperate for traffic and attention.
It explained that, the attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to a mischievous piece of fake news circulating online, claiming that a 22-year-old Miss Zainab Muhamadu is facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity,
According to Idris, Zamfara State government has categorically state that it was the handiwork of agents of disunity and tension-mongers, attempting to incite religious unrest where none exists.
He further said, the state government promptly mobilized relevant authorities and security agencies to verify the authenticity of the story while investigations confirmed that no such case exists before any Sharia court in the state.
Idris further clarified that, to put the record straight, the state government has consulted with the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal, who affirmed that no such case has ever been filed or is under consideration in any Sharia court within Zamfara State.
The government further revealed that the photograph used in the misleading report was not that of a Nigerian woman, but of a Texas-based American named Aalia.
“This entire episode is a clear case of yellow journalism, where falsehood is packaged as fact to provoke public sentiment and stoke religious tension,” the statement continued.
Idris criticized certain media outlets for abandoning their responsibility to verify information before publication.
“We are living in a time when some media platforms have become complacent, relying on unverified social media posts in pursuit of likes, shares, and clicks, rather than credible journalism.”
The Zamfara State Government called on security agencies to investigate the source of the report and ensure that those behind it are brought to justice.
He urged all patriotic Nigerians and responsible media outlets to rise against this trend of reckless journalism. The peace and unity of our country must not be toyed with for the sake of sensationalism.
REL/AMINU DALHATU
